2nd Act Players’ alum shine on Chicago-area stages this summer

The 2nd Act Players prides itself on finding outstanding talent for the stage — actors, playwrights and directors. As a tiny theater, we know we are a first step for those talents to show their abilities and go on to bigger and better things.

So we’re always excited to see that happening — and its happening everywhere this summer!!! Here’s the latest we’ve heard of. If more of you are out there doing great things, let us know and we’ll help publicize them.

Julie Catarello Mitre, who has acted in four plays with 2nd Act Players, will be in Black Ballerina this August 10-25. The show is being done by Evanston’s Fleetwood-Jourdain Theater in partnership with the Piven Theare Workshop, Dear Evanston and Dance Center of Evanston. Julie also will be returning to the 2nd Act Players’ stage in our November show, Old Ringers.

Debra Rodkin

Deb Rodkin, who recently acted in the 2nd Act Players’ Women’s Empowerment Play Festival and will again appear on the 2nd Act Players’ stage this fall in Old Ringers, is appearing in the Intrinsic Theatre Company’s production of Now or Later running Aug. 9-31

Brandy Miller, who played roles in each of two one-act plays in the 2nd Act Players’ recent Women’s Empowerment Play Festival, has been cast as a lead in Anything Goes at the Metropolis Arts Center in Arlington Heights. The show runs Sept. 19 – Nov. 2.

Sharon Kushiner

Sharon Kushner, who also was featured in the 2nd Act Players’ spring Women’s Empowerment Play Festival, is currently playing multiple roles in The Oil Lamp Theater’s production of A Kind of Love story. The Glenview show runs through Sept. 8.

April Cowgur, who starred in the very first 2nd Act Players’ show in 2013, will be featured in a Laugh After Dark episode available on Amazon Prime Aug. 2. Cowgur now resides in Los Angeles and has been doing stand-up comedy.

Hyten Davidson, whose play The Lady in the Woods, was featured in the 2nd Act Players’ 2017 New Playwrights’ Showcase, recently had a screenplay she wrote, Stranger to Blue Mountain, named best of the 2019 South Shore Film Festival in Mastic, N.Y.

Eric Deutz

Eric Deutz, who played numerous roles in the 2nd Act Players’ #MeToo Play Festival in 2018, is cast as Mortiz in the Three Brothers Theatre production of Spring Awakening. The show runs Sept. 6-28.